Phalacrocorax auritus (Lesson, 1831)

Double-crested Cormorant

CLASSIFICATION

Main Group: Animal

Sublevel 1: Vertebrate

Sublevel 2: Bird

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Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Suliformes

Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Genus: Phalacrocorax

Species: Phalacrocorax auritus

STATUS IN NEW ENGLAND

Origin: Native

Invasive, Pest, or Pathogen?: No

Rarity Designations:
MA SWAP (2015) - SGCN

BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY

Feeding Type: Heterotroph

HABITAT

NOTES

Double-crested cormorants may be considered pests and cause economic losses at aquaculture facilities. They may damage vegetation from their guano and by stripping vegetation for nesting materials. Cormorants compete with other waterfowl for nesting sites and may adversely affect habitat for other species. They may also damage property and cause health concerns (Sullivan et al. 2006).

PHOTOS OF Phalacrocorax auritus

Phalacrocorax auritus

Cox Reservation

Essex County, MA

Date: 2016-10-12

Phalacrocorax auritus

Cox Reservation

Essex County, MA

Date: 2016-10-12

REFERENCES

Sullivan, K.L., P.D. Curtis, R.B. Chipman, and R.D. McCullough. 2006. The Double-crested Cormorant. Issues and Management. Cornell University Cooperative Extension. Published by Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.